Gas separator for incinerators



Nov. 23, 1937. G. J. IRSCH GAS SEPARATOR FOR INCINERATORS Filed Sept. 8, 1932 Patented Nov. 23, 193.7

PATENT OFFICE GAS SEPARATOR FOR INCINERATORS George J. Irsch, Harvey, 11]., assignor of onehalf to William B. Stephenson, Chicago, 111.

Application September 8, 1932, Serial No. 632,151

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in gas separating means for incinerators for consuming garbage and refuse.

The primary objects of the invention reside in providing new and improved gas separating means for incinerators of the type which is adapted for buildings of two or more floors, that will not erupt'burned or unburned solids from the top of the stack, and that will not cause smoke to be emitted from the stack through the inlet doors at the various floors.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is an elevational view somewhat diagrammatic in character of an incinerator embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partially sectioned along line 2-2 of Fig. 3, of the upper end of the incinerator stack.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3---3 of Fig. 2.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I

25 have shown in the drawing and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary intend to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the incinerator construction constituting the preferred embodiment of the invention in general comprises a combustion chamber I usually located in the basement of the building, and a stack or flue l l opening from the chamber through the roof to the atmosphere. The structural details of 4 the chamber In per se constitute no part of the present invention, and hence are not disclosed herein.

The stack I i may be constructed of any suitable material and provided in any suitable design. For purposes of illustration, the stack 1 l is shown as made of brick masonry rising to a substantial height above the roof line, and with a rectangular flue passage l2. Suitable inlet openings [3, normally closed by metal doors M, are formed in one side wall'of the, stack II respectively at the various floors for introducing the garbage or other refuse into the flue passage l2.

In tall buildings, the flue passage l2 would necessarily be of considerable height, and hence 65 likely :to induce .a very heavy draft, particularly under certain weather conditions. Hence, in many prior installations, the refuse introduced through the inlet openings is carried up by the draft, and discharged from the top of the stack in a solid partially burned or unburned condition. 5 Light inflammable material in particular frequently catches fire in the flue passage, and the residual flocculent ash or char is carried out. The discharge of solids from the stack collects on the roofs of the buildings, and results in conditions that are unhealthful and unclean, and. extremely annoying, particularly where the roofs are utilized for recreation purposes.

The present invention has for its object the elimination of these disagreeable conditions without interfering with the normal, continuous and efficient operation of the incinerator, and accom plishes its purpose by controlling the draft, and more particularly by removing all entrained solids from the flue gases before such gases are allowed to reach the atmosphere.

The specific means for carrying out this purpose comprises an auxiliary discharge stack [5 communicating at its lower end with the main stack [2 of which it is in effect a continuation. The auxiliary stack l5 extends a substantial distance above the roof line. Where an old installation is to be reconstructed, and the main stack H is not reduced in height but remains as indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2, the auxiliary stack is made to extend slightly above the main stack as shown. However, if desired and usually in new structures, the main stack II can be terminated just above the point of communication with the auxiliary stack l5 as indicated in full outline. While the auxiliary stack I5 may be made of any desired material and of any suitable dimensions, preferably it is made of sheet metal and formed in the straight upper end portion with a square flue passage IS the same in size as the passage i2.

The base of the auxiliary stack l5, which preferably is made of the same material and constitutes about one-third of the height, is shown as resting on the roof, and is enlarged to con- 5 stitute a separating chamber I1 comprising side walls 18, inner and outer end walls l9 and a top wall '20. In the present instance, the base is pro1 vided with the same width as the exterior of the stack ll.

The chamber I! communicates adjacent itsupper end through an opening 2|, formed in one side wall of the stack II and the adjacent wall [9 of the base with the upper end of the pause sage 1.2, andthe lo er portion thereo aqua itutea a dead pit provided in one of the side walls IS with a suitable clean-out door 22. Extending from the upper edge of the opening 2| horizontally in spaced relation tothe top wall 20 into the upper portion of the chamber l1, and terminating short of the outer end wall I9 is a flat bafile Wall 23. This wall defines a sharply bending tortuous passage 24 with horizontal legs between the vertical flue passages l2 and It. The upper leg of the passage 24 preferably converges gradually to the width of the stack [5, and the inside of the juncture is rounded as indicated at V Pivotally suspended from the free end of the bafile wall 23 and hence projecting across the passage 24 is a foraminated member 26, preferably in the form of a metal screen.

The upper end of the stack H is closed by means of a cover 27. In the present instance, the cover 21 is held removably in place by means of spring clips 28. If desired, a small vent 29 may be provided in the center of the cover 21 for relieving the upper dead end of the passage l2 above the opening 2| of smoke and gases. Preferably, the vent 29 comprises a small central depending pipe 36.

It will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific shapes and relative sizes of the various passages and chambers disclosed herein, but that these are subject to variations and to suitable adaptations for different conditions and installations.

It will be evident that the flue gases will be deflected laterally at the upper end of the passage I2 through the opening 2| into the separating chamber. By reason of the change of direction and the relatively larger size of the passage 24, the larger and heavier particles that may be entrained with the flue gases will drop out into the bottom of the chamber I? from where they may be removed. Any light or :flocculent particles that do not drop to the bottom of the chamber I1 are filtered out of the flue gases by the screen 26. The clean flue gases continue through the passage 24 to the flue passage lb of the auxiliary stack [5 from which they pass to the atmosphere.

The draft is not objectionably impaired. No solid particles are discharged into the atmosphere, and yet the draft is such that no smoke is caused to pass from the passage l2 through the doors I4 into the floor hallways. The incinerator is not subject to clogging, and hence continues in efficient operation.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an incinerator, in combination with a vertical main stack, means closing the upper end of said stack, a vertical auxiliary stack communicating laterally with one side of the upper end of said main stack, said auxiliary stack having a base constituting a separating chamber, a flat substantially horizontal baflle wall in said separating chamber extending laterally with respect to said main stack and transversely from side to side within said chamber and defining a tortuous lateral and upward passage for the flue gases between said stacks, and a screen extending across said passage.

2. In an incinerator, in combination with a vertical main stack, a removable closure for the upper end of said stack, said closure having a restricted vent to the atmosphere, said stack having a lateral opening in one side adjacent said upper end, a vertical auxiliary stackhaving an enlarged base constituting a separating chamber communicating with said opening, a bafile wall extending horizontally from the upper edge of said opening into said separating chamber to define a tortuous passage for the flue gases between said stacks, and a screen pivotally suspended from the free end of said bailie Wall across said tortuous passage.

3. In an incinerator, in combination with a vertical main stack, means closing the upper end of said stack, a vertical auxiliary stack having an enlarged base constituting a separating chamber communicating laterally with one side of the upper end of said main stack, and a flattened baille wall extending horizontally from said main stack into said separating chamber to define a tortuous horizontal and upward passage for the flue gases between said stacks.

4. In an incinerator, in combination with a vertical stack, a closure for the upper end of said stack, a vertical auxiliary stack communicating at its base laterally with one side of the upper end of said main stack, said base being enlarged and constituting a separating chamber, and baffle means in said separating chamber having a flat lower face lying horizontally above the point of communication with said vertical stack and defining an enlarged unrestricted tortuous lateral and upward passage for the flue gases between said stacks.

5. In combination in a structure of the character described, a vertical main stack communicating at its lower end with combustion means and providing a flue passage of predetermined effective flow area, an auxiliary vertical stack adjacent said main stack and having a flue passage of undiminished efiective flow area relative to said main stack, the lower end of said vertical stack having a large chamber of substantially greater cross sectional area than the flue passages in either of said stacks, said chamber having an opening therein substantially above its lower end and being disposed adjacent to the upper end of said main stack, a passage of no less flow area than in the flue passage of said main stack providing communication between said main stack and said chamber through said opening, bafile means above said opening for establishing a lateral flow of gases from said main stack through said chamber, and flow conducting means above said baflie means permitting the gases to flow freely upwardly and into said auxiliary stack, the space within said chamber below said baille means providing a dead pit for receiving solid matter entrained in the gases when issuing from said combustion means and deposited during movement through the enlarged area of the chamber.

6. In combination in a construction of the character described, a vertical main stack communicating at its lower end with a combustion compartment and providing a flue passage of predetermined effective flow area, an amiliary vertical stack adjacent said main stack and having a flue passage of undiminished effective flow area relative to said main stack, the lower end of said vertical stack having a large chamber of substantially greater cross sectional area than the flue passages in either of said stacks, said chamber being disposed adjacent to the upper end of said main stack and having a passage of no less flow area than in the flue passage of said main stack providing communication with said main stack, and horizontal means above said passage for establishing a free lateral flow of gases from said main stack toward the opposite side of said chamber and thence upwardly to said auxiliary stack, the size of said chamber and the arrangement of said means being such as to relieve back pressure in the flue passage of said main stack and the space within said chamber below said means providing a dead pit for receiving solid matter deposited from the gases during movement through the enlarged area of the chamber.

7. In combination in a structure of the character described, a vertical main stack communicating at its lower end with combustion means and providing a flue passage of predetermined effective flow area, an auxiliary vertical stack adjacent said main stack and having a flue pas sage of undiminished efiective flow area relative to said main stack, the lower end of said vertical stack having a large chamber of substantially greater width and depth than the flue passages in either of said stacks, said chamber being disposed adjacent to the upper end of said main stack and having a passage of no less flow area than the flue passage of said main stack providing communication with said main stack, horizontal bafile means above said passage for establishing a lateral flow of gases from said main stack toward the opposite side of said chamber and thence upwardly and into said auxiliary stack, the space within said chamber below said bafile means providing a dead pit'for receiving solid material deposited during lateral movement through the enlarged area of the chamber, and screen means on the end of said baflle means for separating flocculent materials from the laterally moving gases before the gases move upwardly into the area above the plane of said baffle means.

8. In an incinerator construction, means defining an auxiliary stack and an enlarged base for such stack providing a separating chamber having a horizontal cross-sectional area substantially greater than said stack, means in one side and substantially above the bottom of said chamber forming a passage for establishing communication between said chamber and a main incinerator stack, a baiiie wall in said chamber above said last mentioned means for conducting flue gases without agitation through the chamber laterally to the opposite side of the chamber, the space between said baflle wall and the bottom of said chamber providing a dead pit for receiving solids entrained in the gases entering the chamber and deposited during passage therethrough, said baiile wall terminating short of said opposite side of the chamber to permit the gases to flow upwardly and into said auxiliary stack, and means between said dead pit and said auxiliary stack for removing non-deposited materials from said gases.

9. In combination in an incinerator installation'embodying a combustion chamber having a stack extending upwardly therefrom, an auxiliary stack adjacent to the upper part of said main stack and having a passage of undiminished eifective flow area relative to said main stack, a chamber of substantially greater crosssectional area than either of said stacks having a clean-out opening in its lower part and communicating in its upper part with said auxiliary stack, an inlet port substantially above the bottom of the chamber in lateral communication with said main stack, and means within the upper part of said chamber for directing the gases entering thereinto from said main stack through the chamber slowly and without agitation and thereafter permitting the gases to pass quickly and without restriction into said auxiliary stack, the bottom of said chamber providing a dead pit for collecting solids from the relatively slowly moving gases.

10. In combination in an incinerator installation embodying a combustion chamber having a stack extending upwardly therefrom, an auxiliary stack adjacent said main stack having a passage of undiminished efiective flow area relative to said main stack, a chamber of substantially greater cross-sectional area than either of said stacks having a clean-out opening in its lower part and communicating in its upper part with said auxiliary stack, an inlet port substantially above the bottom of the chamber in lateral communication with said main stack, means within the upper part of said chamber for directing the gases entering thereinto from said main stack through the chamber slowly and without agitation and thereafter permitting the gases to pass quickly and without restriction into said auxiliary stack, the bottom of said chamber providing a dead pit for collecting solids from the relatively slowly moving gases, and means for preventing passage of light flocculent materials upwardly from the chamber into the auxiliary stack.

11. In combination in an incinerator construction including a combustion chamber and an upwardly extending main stack, an auxiliary stack adjacent the upper part of said main stack and having a passage therethrough of undiminished effective flow area relative to said main stack, means providing a collecting chamber of substantially greater vertical and horizontal cross-sectional area than the flow passage in either of said stacks, means providing an inlet to said chamber of at least the same eifective flow area as said main stack, said inlet afiording communication between the main stack and the upper part of the chamber to deliver gases abruptly into the enlarged area of the chamber to permit expansion and slowing of the gases for separating entrained solids therefrom, and means for conducting the separated gases without agitation into said auxiliary stack.

12. In a gas separating device for incinerator constructions, a gas expansion and separating chamber having a substantially larger interior' cross sectional area both vertically and horizontally than the flow area of a domestic incinerator stack, the bottom of said chamber providing a dead pit and having a clean-out opening, an opening in one side of the chamber substantially above the bottom thereof for communicating with the incinerator stack, means above said opening for directing gases entering through the opening toward the opposite side of the chamber without agitation so that entrained solids will be separated from the gases'and fall to the bottom of the chamber in the course of movement through the chamber, an auxiliary stack having at least as great an effective flow area therethrough as said opening and communicating with the top of the chamber above the level of said opening, and means above the gas directing means converging gradually toward said auxiliary stack to conduct the separated gases thereto smoothly and without back pressure.

GEORGE J. IRSCH. 

